U.S. patent application number 17/082527 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for method and apparatus for communication establishment for wireless power transfer.
This patent application is currently assigned to HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jin Su JANG, Taek Hyun JUNG, Zeung Il KIM.
Application Number | 20210136842 17/082527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005254568 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210136842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JANG; Jin Su ; et
al. |
May 6, 2021 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHMENT FOR WIRELESS
POWER TRANSFER
Abstract
A connection establishment method, performed by an electric
vehicle (EV) being supplied power from a power supply device, may
include scanning beacon broadcast in a low-level communication
scheme from a plurality of chargers; selecting a beacon signal
having a minimum signal attenuation by calculating signal
attenuations for a plurality of scanned beacon signals; and
establishing a communication connection with an electric vehicle
supply equipment (EVSE) associated with a charger transmitting the
beacon signal having the minimum signal attenuation.
Inventors: |
JANG; Jin Su; (Hwaseong-si,
KR) ; KIM; Zeung Il; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; JUNG;
Taek Hyun; (Hwaseong-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION |
SEOUL
SEOUL |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
SEOUL
KR
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
SEOUL
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000005254568 |
Appl. No.: |
17/082527 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 76/10 20180201;
B60Y 2200/92 20130101; B60K 6/28 20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101;
B60Y 2200/91 20130101; H02J 50/80 20160201; B60L 53/66 20190201;
B60L 53/126 20190201; H04B 5/0037 20130101; H02J 50/40 20160201;
B60Y 2300/91 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 76/10 20060101
H04W076/10; H04B 5/00 20060101 H04B005/00; H02J 50/40 20060101
H02J050/40; H02J 50/80 20060101 H02J050/80; B60L 53/126 20060101
B60L053/126; B60L 53/66 20060101 B60L053/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0138023 |
Sep 16, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0119075 |
Claims
1. A connection establishment method, performed by an electric
vehicle (EV) being supplied power from a power supply device, the
connection establishment method comprising: scanning beacon
broadcast in a low-level communication scheme from a plurality of
chargers; selecting a beacon signal having a minimum signal
attenuation by calculating signal attenuations for a plurality of
scanned beacon signals; and establishing a communication connection
with an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) associated with a
charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum signal
attenuation.
2. The connection establishment method according to claim 1,
wherein scanning the beacon broadcast in the low-level
communication scheme comprises: scanning the beacon broadcast in a
communication scheme using at least one of a low power excitation
(LPE), a magnetic vectoring (MV), or a low frequency (LF)
antenna.
3. The connection establishment method according to claim 1,
wherein scanning the beacon broadcast in the low-level
communication scheme comprises: scanning the beacon broadcast in
the low-level communication scheme that includes at least one of an
application type indicating an application to which the beacon is
applied, a sensor type indicating a type of a sensor implementing
the low-level communication scheme, a service set identifier
(SSID), or a pad identifier.
4. The connection establishment method according to claim 3,
wherein the application type includes one of a communication
matching between EV and EVSE, or an alignment between EV and
EVSE.
5. The connection establishment method according to claim 3,
wherein the sensor type includes at least one of an LF antenna, an
MV, an LPE, or an ultra-wide band (UWB).
6. The connection establishment method according to claim 1,
wherein selecting the beacon signal comprises: selecting the beacon
signal repeatedly until a signal attenuation for a beacon signal
transmitted by a currently-associated charger is equal to or less
than a signal attenuation for a beacon signal transmitted by
another charger, and a position alignment is completed.
7. The connection establishment method according to claim 1,
wherein establishing the communication connection comprises:
transmitting a probe request to the EVSE associated with the
charger and receiving a probe response in response to the probe
request; and transmitting an association request to the EVSE
associated with the charger and receiving an association response
in response to the association request.
8. The connection establishment method according to claim 1,
wherein establishing the communication connection comprises:
receiving a wireless local area network (WLAN) beacon broadcast by
the EVSE associated with the charger; and transmitting an
association request to the EVSE based on information included in
the WLAN beacon broadcast, and receiving an association response in
response to the association request.
9. A communication establishment apparatus of an electric vehicle
(EV) being supplied power from a power supply device, the
communication establishment apparatus comprising: a processor; and
a memory configured to store processor-readable instructions that,
when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: scan beacon
broadcast in a low-level communication scheme from a plurality of
chargers; select a beacon signal having a minimum signal
attenuation by calculating signal attenuations for a plurality of
scanned beacon signals; and establish a communication connection
with an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) associated with a
charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum signal
attenuation.
10. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein the processor is configured to: scan the beacon broadcast
in a communication scheme using at least one of a low power
excitation (LPE), a magnetic vectoring (MV), or a low frequency
(LF) antenna.
11. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein the processor is configured to: scan the beacon broadcast
in the low-level communication scheme that includes at least one of
an application type indicating an application to which the beacon
is applied, a sensor type indicating a type of a sensor
implementing the low-level communication scheme, a service set
identifier (SSID), or a pad identifier.
12. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim
11, wherein the application type includes one of a communication
matching between EV and EVSE, or an alignment between EV and
EVSE.
13. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim
11, wherein the sensor type includes at least one of an LF antenna,
an MV, an LPE, or an ultra-wide band (UWB).
14. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein the processor is configured to: select the beacon signal
repeatedly until a signal attenuation for a beacon signal
transmitted by a currently-associated charger is equal to or less
than a signal attenuation for a beacon signal transmitted by
another charger, and a position alignment is completed.
15. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein, when establishing the communication connection, the
processor is configured to: transmit a probe request to the EVSE
associated with the charger and receive a probe response in
response to the probe request; and transmit an association request
to the EVSE associated with the charger and receive an association
response in response to the association request.
16. The communication establishment apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein, when establishing the communication connection, the
processor is configured to: receive a wireless local area network
(WLAN) beacon broadcast by the EVSE associated with the charger;
and transmit an association request to the EVSE based on
information included in the WLAN beacon broadcast and receive an
association response in response to the association request.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit
of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0138023, filed on Oct. 31,
2019, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0119075, filed on
Sep. 16, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus
for communication establishment for wireless power transfer (WPT),
and more specifically, to a communication establishment method
performed by an electric vehicle (EV) in a situation where a
plurality of charger coexist, and a communication establishment
apparatus for the EV using the method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Recently developed electric vehicles (EV) drive a motor with
power of a battery, have fewer sources of air pollution, such as
exhaust gas and noise, compared to conventional gasoline engine
vehicles, and have advantages of fewer breakdowns, longer life, and
simple driving operations. The EVs are classified into hybrid
electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs),
and electric vehicles (EVs) according to their driving sources. The
HEV has an engine as a main power and a motor as an auxiliary
power. The PHEV has a motor that is a main power and an engine that
is used when a battery is discharged. The EV has a motor, but no
engine.
[0004] During charging, it is general for a vehicle to enter a
charging station, connect to a charger through a wireless local
area network (WLAN), and perform charging. In this case, in a
charging station where multiple chargers coexist, a problem may
occur in that the vehicle may communicate with a charger other than
a charger that is to actually perform power transfer to the EV.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure provides a communication
establishment method performed by an EV receiving a power from a
power supply device. The present disclosure also provides a
communication establishment apparatus of an EV using the
communication establishment method.
[0006] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, a connection establishment method, performed by an EV
being supplied power from a power supply device, may comprise:
scanning beacons broadcast in a low-level communication scheme from
a plurality of chargers; selecting a beacon signal having a minimum
signal attenuation by calculating signal attenuations for a
plurality of scanned beacon signals; and establishing a
communication connection with an electric vehicle supply equipment
(EVSE) associated with a charger transmitting the beacon signal
having the minimum signal attenuation.
[0007] The low-level communication scheme may include a
communication scheme using one or more among a low power excitation
(LPE), a magnetic vectoring (MV), and a low frequency (LF)
antenna.
[0008] The beacon broadcast in the low-level communication scheme
may include at least one of an application type indicating an
application to which the beacon is applied, a sensor type
indicating a type of a sensor implementing the low-level
communication scheme, a service set identifier (SSID), and a pad
identifier.
[0009] The application type may indicate one of a communication
matching between EV and EVSE, and an alignment between EV and
EVSE.
[0010] The sensor type may include at least one of an LF antenna,
an MV, an LPE, and an ultra-wide band (UWB).
[0011] The selecting of the beacon signal may be repeatedly
performed until a signal attenuation for a beacon signal
transmitted by a currently-associated charger is equal to or less
than a signal attenuation for a beacon signal transmitted by
another charger, and a position alignment is completed.
[0012] The establishing of the communication connection may
include: transmitting a probe request to the EVSE associated with
the charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum
signal attenuation, and receiving a probe response in response to
the probe request; and transmitting an association request to the
EVSE associated with the charger transmitting the beacon signal
having the minimum signal attenuation, and receiving an association
response in response to the association request.
[0013] The establishing of the communication connection may
include: receiving a wireless local area network (WLAN) beacon
broadcast by the EVSE associated with the charger transmitting the
beacon signal having the minimum signal attenuation; and
transmitting an association request to the EVSE based on
information included in the WLAN beacon broadcast by the EVSE, and
receiving an association response in response to the association
request.
[0014] Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, a communication establishment apparatus of an
EV being supplied power from a power supply device may comprise a
processor; and a memory storing at least one instruction executable
by the processor, wherein when executed by the processor, the at
least one instruction may cause the processor to: scan beacons
broadcast in a low-level communication scheme from a plurality of
chargers; select a beacon signal having a minimum signal
attenuation by calculating signal attenuations for a plurality of
scanned beacon signals; and establish a communication connection
with an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) associated with a
charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum signal
attenuation.
[0015] The low-level communication scheme may include a
communication scheme using one or more among a low power excitation
(LPE), a magnetic vectoring (MV), and a low frequency (LF)
antenna.
[0016] The beacon broadcast in the low-level communication scheme
may include at least one of an application type indicating an
application to which the beacon is applied, a sensor type
indicating a type of a sensor implementing the low-level
communication scheme, a service set identifier (SSID), and a pad
identifier.
[0017] The application type may indicate one of a communication
matching between EV and EVSE, and an alignment between EV and
EVSE.
[0018] The sensor type may include at least one of an LF antenna,
an MV, an LPE, and an ultra-wide band (UWB).
[0019] The selecting of the beacon signal may be repeatedly
performed until a signal attenuation for a beacon signal
transmitted by a currently-associated charger is equal to or less
than a signal attenuation for a beacon signal transmitted by
another charger, and a position alignment is completed.
[0020] In the establishing of the communication connection, the at
least one instruction may further cause the processor to: transmit
a probe request to the EVSE associated with the charger
transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum signal
attenuation, and receive a probe response in response to the probe
request; and transmit an association request to the EVSE associated
with the charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum
signal attenuation, and receive an association response in response
to the association request.
[0021] In the establishing of the communication connection, the at
least one instruction may further cause the processor to: receive a
wireless local area network (WLAN) beacon broadcast by the EVSE
associated with the charger transmitting the beacon signal having
the minimum signal attenuation; and transmit an association request
to the EVSE based on information included in the WLAN beacon
broadcast by the EVSE, and receive an association response in
response to the association request.
[0022] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, a vehicle can be automatically connected to a charger
to perform power transfer at a charging station where one or more
chargers coexist. According to the exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, since a position alignment sensor of the
wireless charging transmission/reception pad is used, a separate
additional hardware configuration may be unnecessary.
DRAWINGS
[0023] The present disclosure will become more apparent by
describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a
WPT system;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a typical wireless
communication establishment between an EV and a charging
infrastructure for power transfer;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates information on a beacon message of an LF
signal applied to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIGS. 4A and 4B are sequence charts illustrating a
communication establishment method between a vehicle and a charger
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIGS. 5A and 5B are sequence charts illustrating a
communication association method between a vehicle and a charger
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a WPT method according to
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication establishment
apparatus for WPT according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0031] It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings
are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various features illustrative of the basic
principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the
present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions,
orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by
the particular intended application and use environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items.
[0033] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or
other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in
general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility
vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles,
watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and
the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other
alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other
than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a
vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both
gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
[0034] Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used
herein, the term "about" is understood as within a range of normal
tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of
the mean. "About" can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%,
5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.01% of the stated value.
Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values
provided herein are modified by the term "about."
[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are
disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of
describing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
however, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be
embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as
limited to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure set
forth herein. While describing the respective drawings, like
reference numerals designate like elements.
[0036] It will be understood that although the terms "first,"
"second," etc. may be used herein to describe various components,
these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms
are used merely to distinguish one element from another. For
example, without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure, a first component may be designated as a second
component, and similarly, the second component may be designated as
the first component. The term "and/or" include any and all
combinations of one of the associated listed items.
[0037] It will be understood that when a component is referred to
as being "connected to" another component, the component may be
directly or indirectly connected to the other component. In other
words, for example, intervening components may be present. On the
contrary, when a component is referred to as being "directly
connected to" another component, there are no intervening
components.
[0038] Terms are used herein only to describe the exemplary
embodiments but not to limit the present disclosure. Singular
expressions, unless defined otherwise in contexts, include plural
expressions. In the present specification, terms of "comprise" or
"have" are used to designate features, numbers, steps, operations,
elements, components or combinations thereof disclosed in the
specification as being present but not to exclude possibility of
the existence or the addition of one or more other features,
numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations
thereof.
[0039] All terms including technical or scientific terms, unless
being defined otherwise, have the same meaning generally understood
by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in
dictionaries generally used are interpreted as including meanings
identical to contextual meanings of the related art, unless
definitely defined otherwise in the present specification, are not
interpreted as being ideal or excessively formal meanings.
[0040] Additionally, one or more of the below methods, or aspects
thereof, may be executed by at least one controller. The term
"controller" may refer to a hardware device that includes a memory
and a processor. The memory is configured to store program
instructions, and the processor is specifically programmed to
execute the program instructions to perform one or more processes
which are described further below. The controller may control
operation of units, modules, parts, devices, or the like, as
described herein. Moreover, the below methods may be executed by an
apparatus comprising the controller in conjunction with one or more
other components, as would be appreciated by a person of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0041] Furthermore, control logic of the present disclosure may be
embodied as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer
readable medium containing executable program instructions executed
by a processor, controller/control unit or the like. Examples of
the computer readable mediums include, but are not limited to, ROM,
RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash
drives, smart cards and optical data storage devices. The computer
readable recording medium can also be distributed in network
coupled computer systems so that the computer readable media is
stored and executed in a distributed fashion, e.g., by a telematics
server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).
[0042] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, an EV charging system may be defined as a system for
charging a high-voltage battery mounted in an EV using power of an
energy storage device or a power grid of a commercial power source.
The EV charging system may have various forms according to the type
of EV. For example, the EV charging system may be classified as a
conductive-type using a charging cable or a non-contact wireless
power transfer (WPT)-type (also referred to as an
"inductive-type"). The power source may include a residential or
public electrical service or a generator utilizing vehicle-mounted
fuel, and the like.
[0043] Additional terms used in the present specification are
defined as follows.
[0044] "Electric Vehicle (EV)": An automobile, as defined in 49 CFR
523.3, intended for highway use, powered by an electric motor that
draws current from an on-vehicle energy storage device, such as a
battery, which is rechargeable from an off-vehicle source, such as
residential or public electric service or an on-vehicle fuel
powered generator. The EV may be a four or more wheeled vehicle
manufactured for use primarily on public streets or roads.
[0045] The EV may include an electric vehicle, an electric
automobile, an electric road vehicle (ERV), a plug-in vehicle (PV),
a plug-in vehicle (xEV), etc., and the xEV may be classified into a
plug-in all-electric vehicle (BEV), a battery electric vehicle, a
plug-in electric vehicle (PEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a
hybrid plug-in electric vehicle (HPEV), a plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle (PHEV), etc.
[0046] "Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV)": An EV that recharges the
on-vehicle primary battery by connecting to the power grid.
[0047] "Plug-in vehicle (PV)": An electric vehicle rechargeable via
wireless charging from an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)
without using a physical plug or a physical socket.
[0048] "Heavy duty vehicle (H.D. Vehicle)": Any four-or more
wheeled vehicle as defined in 49 CFR 523.6 or 49 CFR 37.3
(bus).
[0049] "Light duty plug-in electric vehicle": A three or
four-wheeled vehicle propelled by an electric motor drawing current
from a rechargeable storage battery or other energy devices for use
primarily on public streets, roads and highways and rated at less
than 4,545 kg gross vehicle weight.
[0050] "Wireless power charging system (WCS)": The system for
wireless power transfer and control between the GA and VA including
alignment and communications. This system transfers energy from the
electric supply network to the electric vehicle electromagnetically
via a two-part loosely coupled transformer.
[0051] "Wireless power transfer (WPT)": The transfer of electrical
power from the alternating current (AC) supply network to the
electric vehicle without contact.
[0052] "Utility": A set of systems which supply electrical energy
and may include a customer information system (CIS), an advanced
metering infrastructure (AMI), rates and revenue system, etc. The
utility may provide the EV with energy based on a rates table and
discrete events. Additionally, the utility may provide information
about certification of EVs, interval of power consumption
measurements, and a tariff.
[0053] "Smart charging": A system in which EVSE and/or PEV
communicate with power grid to optimize charging ratio or
discharging ratio of EV by reflecting capacity of the power grid or
expense of use.
[0054] "Automatic charging": A procedure in which inductive
charging is automatically performed after a vehicle is located in a
proper position corresponding to a primary charger assembly that
may transfer power. The automatic charging may be performed after
obtaining necessary authentication and right.
[0055] "Interoperability": A state in which components of a system
interwork with corresponding components of the system to perform
operations aimed by the system. Additionally, information
interoperability may refer to capability that two or more networks,
systems, devices, applications, or components may efficiently share
and easily use information without causing inconvenience to
users.
[0056] "Inductive charging system": A system transferring energy
from a power source to an EV via a two-part gapped core transformer
in which the two halves of the transformer, i.e., primary and
secondary coils, are physically separated from one another. In the
present disclosure, the inductive charging system may correspond to
an EV power transfer system.
[0057] "Inductive coupler": The transformer formed by the coil in
the GA Coil and the coil in the VA Coil that allows power to be
transferred with galvanic isolation.
[0058] "Inductive coupling": Magnetic coupling between two coils.
In the present disclosure, coupling between the GA Coil and the VA
Coil.
[0059] "Ground assembly (GA)": An assembly on the infrastructure
side including the GA Coil, a power/frequency conversion unit and
GA controller as well as the wiring from the grid and between each
unit, filtering circuits, at least one housing, etc., necessary to
function as the power source of a wireless power charging system.
The GA may include the communication elements necessary for
communication between the GA and the VA.
[0060] "Vehicle assembly (VA)": An assembly on the vehicle
including the VA Coil, rectifier/power conversion unit and VA
controller as well as the wiring to the vehicle batteries and
between each unit, filtering circuits, at least one housing, etc.,
necessary to function as the vehicle part of a wireless power
charging system. The VA may include the communication elements
necessary for communication between the VA and the GA. The GA may
be referred to as a supply device, a power supply side device, or
the like, and the VA may be referred to as an EV device, an EV side
device, or the like.
[0061] "Supply device": An apparatus which provides the contactless
coupling to the EV device. In other words, the supply device may be
an apparatus external to an EV. When the EV is receiving power, the
supply device may operate as the source of the power to be
transferred. The supply device may include the housing and all
covers.
[0062] "EV device": An apparatus mounted on the EV which provides
the contactless coupling to the supply device. In other words, the
EV device may be installed within the EV. When the EV is receiving
power, the EV device may transfer the power from the primary
battery to the EV. The EV device may include the housing and all
covers.
[0063] "GA controller": The portion of the GA which regulates the
output power level to the GA Coil based on information from the
vehicle.
[0064] "VA controller": The portion of the VA that monitors
specific on-vehicle parameters during charging and initiates
communication with the GA to adjust an output power level. The GA
controller may be referred to as a supply power circuit (SPC), and
the VA controller may be referred to as an electric vehicle (EV)
power circuit (EVPC).
[0065] "Magnetic gap": The vertical distance between the plane of
the higher of the top of the litz wire or the top of the magnetic
material in the GA Coil to the plane of the lower of the bottom of
the litz wire or the magnetic material in the VA Coil when
aligned.
[0066] "Ambient temperature": The ground-level temperature of the
air measured at the subsystem under consideration and not in direct
sun light.
[0067] "Vehicle ground clearance": The vertical distance between
the ground surface and the lowest part of the vehicle floor
pan.
[0068] "Vehicle magnetic ground clearance": The vertical distance
between the plane of the lower of the bottom of the litz wire or
the magnetic material in the VA Coil mounted on a vehicle to the
ground surface.
[0069] "VA coil magnetic surface distance": the distance between
the plane of the nearest magnetic or conducting component surface
to the lower exterior surface of the VA coil when mounted. This
distance includes any protective coverings and additional items
that may be packaged in the VA coil enclosure. The VA coil may be
referred to as a secondary coil, a vehicle coil, or a receive coil.
Similarly, the GA coil may be referred to as a primary coil, or a
transmit coil.
[0070] "Exposed conductive component": A conductive component of
electrical equipment (e.g., an electric vehicle) that may be
touched and which is not normally energized but which may become
energized when a fault occurs.
[0071] "Hazardous live component": A live component, which under
certain conditions may generate a harmful electric shock.
[0072] "Live component": Any conductor or conductive component
intended to be electrically energized in normal use.
[0073] "Direct contact": Contact of persons with live components.
(See, IEC 61440.)
[0074] "Indirect contact": Contact of persons with exposed,
conductive, and energized components made live by an insulation
failure. (See, IEC 61140.)
[0075] "Alignment": A process of finding the relative position of
supply device to EV device and/or finding the relative position of
EV device to supply device for the efficient power transfer that is
specified. In the present disclosure, the alignment may direct to a
fine positioning of the wireless power transfer system.
[0076] "Pairing": A process by which a vehicle is correlated with a
dedicated supply device, at which the vehicle is located and from
which the power will be transferred. Pairing may include the
process by which a VA controller and a GA controller of a charging
spot are correlated. The correlation/association process may
include the process of association of a relationship between two
peer communication entities.
[0077] "High-level communication (HLC)": HLC is a special type of
digital communication. HLC is necessary for additional services
which are not covered by command and control communication. The
data link of the HLC may use a power line communication (PLC), but
the data link of the HLC is not limited to the PLC.
[0078] "Low-power excitation (LPE)": LPE refers to a technique of
activating the supply device for the fine positioning and pairing
so that the EV may detect the supply device, and vice versa.
[0079] "Service set identifier (SSID)": SSID is a unique identifier
consisting of 32-characters attached to a header of a packet
transmitted on a wireless LAN. The SSID identifies the basic
service set (BSS) to which the wireless device attempts to connect.
The SSID distinguishes multiple wireless LANs. Therefore, all
access points (APs) and all terminal/station devices that want to
use a specific wireless LAN may use the same SSID. Devices that do
not use a unique SSID are not able to join the BSS. Since the SSID
is shown as plain text, the SSID may not provide any security
features to the network.
[0080] "Extended service set identifier (ESSID)": ESSID is the name
of the network to which one desires to connect. ESSID is similar to
SSID but a more extended concept.
[0081] "Basic service set identifier (BSSID)": BSSID consisting of
48 bits is used to distinguish a specific BSS. With an
infrastructure BSS network, the BSSID may be configured for medium
access control (MAC) of the AP equipment. For an independent BSS or
ad hoc network, the BSSID may be generated with any value.
[0082] The charging station may include at least one GA and at
least one GA controller configured to manage the at least one GA.
The GA may include at least one wireless communication device. The
charging station may refer to a place or location having at least
one GA, which is installed in home, office, public place, road,
parking area, etc.
[0083] In the present specification, `association` may be used as a
term to denote a procedure for establishing wireless communication
between the EVCC and the SECC controlling the charging
infrastructure. Hereinafter, preferred exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
[0084] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a
WPT system.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 1, an EV charging system may include a
conductive charging system using a cable or a non-contact WPT
system, but is not limited thereto. The EV charging system may be
basically defined as a system that charges a battery mounted in an
EV by using a power of a commercial power grid or energy storage
device. Such the EV charging system may have various forms
according to the type of EVs.
[0086] The representative standard for wireless charging, Society
of Automotive Engineers (SAE) TIR J2954, establishes an industry
standard specification guideline that define interoperability,
electromagnetic compatibility, minimum performance, safety, and
acceptance criteria for wireless charging of light duty EVs and
plug-in EVs.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 1 showing an example of a wireless
charging system, a wireless communication system (WCS) according to
the J2954 standard may include utility interface, high frequency
power inverter, coupling coils, rectifier, filter, optional
regulator, and communications connected between a vehicle energy
charging/storing system and the power inverter connected to the
utility. The utility interface may be similar to a conventional
EVSE connection to single or three-phase AC power.
[0088] The wireless charging system for EVs may be largely
classified into the following three groups.
[0089] 1) GA coil 12 for power transfer, power converter 11 for
grid connection, communication link 13 with a vehicle system
[0090] 2) VA coil 21 having rectifying and filtering components,
charging control power electronics 22 required for
regulation/safety/shutdown when necessary, and communication link
23 with a base station side.
[0091] 3) Secondary energy storage system, battery management
system components, and related modules required for in-vehicle
communication (e.g., CAN, LIN) required for battery SOC, charge
rate, and other necessary information
[0092] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a typical wireless
communication establishment between an EV and a charging
infrastructure for power transfer.
[0093] In the present specification, `association` may be used as a
term to denote a procedure for establishing wireless communication
between the EVCC and the SECC controlling the charging
infrastructure. In general, when an EV is required to be charged,
the EV enters a charging station, connects to a charger to perform
power transfer through a wireless LAN (WLAN) such as IEEE 802.11n,
and then perform charging. However, if it is connected to a general
access point (AP) other than the charger that is to actually
perform the power transfer, the charging procedure cannot be
normally performed. Therefore, an international electric vehicle
charging standard (e.g., international organization for
standardization (ISO) 15118) defines that the vehicle can be
connected to the charger AP, not the general AP, through a vendor
specific element (VSE) field of a MAC frame corresponding to a
layer 2 among 7 layers according to the open systems
interconnection (OSI) reference model.
[0094] However, as shown in FIG. 2, in a charging station where a
plurality of chargers coexist, the problem that the vehicle may
communicate with a charger other than the charger actually
performing power transfer cannot be solved. For example, referring
to FIG. 2, in order for the vehicle to charge in a PAD #1, it is
necessary to establish a communication connection with a charger A
(i.e., EVSE A). However, when the vehicle enters the charging
station and performs an association procedure with a charger based
on a received signal strength (RSSI) through WLAN, it may be
connected to a charger B (i.e., EVSE B) that is physically close to
the vehicle, and accordingly, the charging through the PAD #1 may
become impossible.
[0095] In this reason, the present disclosure proposes a method in
which a vehicle is actually associated with a charger to actually
perform power transfer at a charging station where two or more
chargers coexist.
[0096] In the EV wireless communication defined in ISO 15118 among
EV-related international standards, charging may be performed after
the vehicle (station) and the charger (AP) are associated using
WLAN (e.g., 802.11n) and they exchange application messages. In
case of a wireless charging vehicle, if a transmission pad (PAD) of
the charger is not properly aligned with the vehicle, charging
efficiency decreases or charging becomes impossible.
[0097] In order to solve this problem, a position alignment method
based on low power excitation (LPE), magnetic vectoring (MV), low
frequency (LF) antennas, or the like has been proposed. In
particular, in the position alignment method using the MV and LF
antennas, since a transmission and reception distance of signals is
10 m or more, a low-level communication (LLC) between the vehicle
and the charger is possible at the charging station.
[0098] Here, an LF signal is a digitally modulated magnetic field
operating in an ITU radio band of very low and low frequencies. An
LF sensor may operate at a fixed frequency within a frequency range
of 19 kHz to 300 kHz. Further, the LF magnetic field may be
generated by an antenna located on the EV or an antenna located on
the transmission pad.
[0099] In case of an automatic association using LF antennas, which
is one of the method for position alignment between the charger and
the vehicle, each charger in the charging station where a plurality
of chargers exist may broadcast information including its own SSID
(hereinafter referred to as `LF beacon`) through an LF antenna of a
transmission pad (PAD).
[0100] The vehicle may identify the information included in the LF
beacon broadcast by each charger, select a charger having an LF
beacon having the smallest signal attenuation, and perform an
association procedure with the corresponding charger by using the
WLAN (e.g., IEEE802.11n) through active scanning or passive
scanning.
[0101] However, as shown in FIG. 2, although the vehicle attempts
to charge at the PAD #1 of the charger A (i.e., EVSE A), since a
distance to the charger B (i.e., EVSE B) and the PAD #6 is close
when entering the charging station, it may be associated with the
charger B.
[0102] As the vehicle moves closer to the PAD #1 of the charger A,
signal attenuation of the LF beacon received from the PAD #1
becomes the smallest, so that the vehicle disconnects the
communication connection with the charger B and attempts to
associate with the charger A of the PAD #1 which is closest to the
vehicle.
[0103] After the association process is completed, the position
alignment and charging process may be performed while maintaining
the connection as long as the connection is not deviated from the
PAD #1 area. In addition to the example shown in FIG. 2, various
situations may exist according to a layout of the charging station.
However, since an LF beacon signal having the smallest signal
attenuation among LF beacons received by the vehicle may be a
signal received from a pad of a charger physically closest to the
vehicle (i.e., charger to actually perform power transfer), the
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied
regardless of the layout of the charging station.
[0104] FIG. 3 illustrates information on a beacon message of an LF
signal applied to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0105] Through a table shown in FIG. 3, it may be possible to
confirm a definition of a low level communication (i.e., LF) based
beacon message for automatic association. Referring to FIG. 3, an
LLC (i.e., LF) beacon message may include signals related to an
application type (i.e., APPLICATION_TYPE), a sensor type (i.e.,
SENSOR_TYPE), an SSID, and a PAD identifier (PID).
[0106] The application type may indicate an application such as
`EV-EVSE communication matching`, `EV-EVSE alignment`, or the like,
and may be expressed as a value of 2 bits. The sensor type may be
information indicating a sensor type among LF antenna, MV, LPE,
ultra-wide band (UWB), etc., and may be expressed as a value of 3
bits.
[0107] When there are multiple types of sensors broadcasting LLC
beacons in the charging station, the vehicle may preferentially
connect sensors that the vehicle supports. When the vehicle also
supports multiple sensors, the priority for association may be made
in the order in which the sensor's detection range is short. For
example, the association may be performed in the order of LPE, MV,
and LF antennas.
[0108] FIGS. 4A and 4B are sequence charts illustrating a
communication establishment method between a vehicle and a charger
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0109] FIGS. 4A and 4B shows a case where an association procedure
between a vehicle and a charger is performed by active scanning of
a WLAN. In addition, it is assumed that the vehicle uses an LF
antenna and that an LF beacon signal is periodically broadcast like
an AP beacon.
[0110] For example, as in the charging station situation described
in FIG. 2, assuming that the vehicle 200 is moving, and the PADs #1
and #6 among six transmission pads controlled by the EVSE A 100-1
and the EVSE B 100-2 are not in a charging state, the PADs #1 and
#6 may be pads valid for the vehicle entering for charging.
Assuming that the PAD #1 is controlled by the EVSE A and the PAD #6
is controlled by the EVSE B, the EVSE A and EVSE B, which detect
that the vehicle enters the charging station, may activate an LF
antenna 110-1 on the PAD #1 and an LF antenna 110-2 on the PAD #6,
respectively. The LF antenna 110-1 on the PAD #1 may broadcast an
LF beacon A, and the LF antenna 110-2 on the PAD #6 may broadcast
an LF beacon B (S410). In this case, the LF beacon A may include
`AWC-HMC01` as an SSID, and the LF beacon B may include `AWC-HMC02`
as an SSID. That is, the LF beacon A and the LF beacon B may be
generated and transmitted by different EVSEs.
[0111] An LF antenna 210 of the EV having received the two LF
beacons may calculate an LF attenuation value of each LF beacon
(S411). Since the vehicle at this time is located close to the PAD
#6, the LF attenuation value of the LF beacon A, which is
calculated at the LF antenna 210 of the EV, may be greater than the
attenuation value of the LF beacon B. Accordingly, the LF antenna
210 of the EV may forward information on the LF beacon B to the EV
(S412).
[0112] The EV may receive the information on the LF beacon B from
the LF antenna 210, transmit a probe request (i.e., ProbeReq) and
an association request (i.e., AssociationReq) for association with
the EVSE B controlling the PAD #6 that transmitted the LF beacon B,
receive responses (i.e., ProbeRes, AssociationRes) from the EVSE B,
and establish a connection with the EVSE B (S413, S414).
[0113] Meanwhile, as the vehicle moves from the PAD #6 to the PAD
#1, the LF antenna 210 of the EV may receive again the LF beacon A
broadcasted by the LF antenna 110-1 on the PAD #1 and the LF beacon
B broadcast by the LF antenna 110-2 on the PAD #6 (S420). The LF
antenna 210 of the EV having received the two LF beacons may
calculate an LF attenuation value for each LF beacon (S421). Since
the vehicle at this time is located close to the PAD #1, the LF
attenuation value of the LF beacon B, which is calculated at the LF
antenna 210 of the EV, may be greater than the attenuation value of
the LF beacon A. Accordingly, the LF antenna 210 of the EV may
forward information on the LF beacon A to the EV (S422).
[0114] The EV may receive the information on the LF beacon A from
the LF antenna 210, transmit a probe request (i.e., ProbeReq) and
an association request (i.e., AssociationReq) for association with
the EVSE A controlling the PAD #1 that transmitted the LF beacon A,
receive responses (i.e., ProbeRes, AssociationRes) from the EVSE A,
and establish a connection with the EVSE A (S423, S424).
[0115] FIGS. 5A and 5B are sequence charts illustrating a
communication association method between a vehicle and a charger
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0116] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B shows a
case where an association procedure between a vehicle and a charger
is performed by passive scanning of a WLAN. In addition, it is
assumed that the vehicle uses an LF antenna and that an LF beacon
signal is periodically broadcast like an AP beacon.
[0117] It is assumed that the situation of the charging station is
identical to that of the exemplary embodiment described with
reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. That is, as in the situation shown in
FIG. 2, when the PAD #1 is controlled by the EVSE A and the PAD #6
is controlled by the EVSE B, the EVSE A and EVSE B, which detect
that the vehicle enters the charging station, may activate the LF
antenna 110-1 on the PAD #1 and the LF antenna 110-2 on the PAD #6,
respectively. The LF antenna 110-1 on the PAD #1 may broadcast the
LF beacon A, and the LF antenna 110-2 on the PAD #6 may broadcast
the LF beacon B (S510). The LF antenna 210 of the EV having
received the two LF beacons may calculate an LF attenuation value
for each LF beacon (S511). Since the vehicle 200 at this time is
located close to the PAD #6, the LF attenuation value of the LF
antenna A, which is calculated at the LF antenna 210 of the EV, may
be greater than the attenuation value of LF beacon B. Accordingly,
the LF antenna of the EV may forward information on the LF beacon B
to the EV 200 (S512).
[0118] The EV 200 may receive the information on the LF beacon B
from the LF antenna 210, transmit an association request (i.e.,
AssociationReq) to the EVSE B based on the information included in
a beacon (i.e., WLAN beacon B) transmitted by the EVSE B, receive a
response (i.e., AssociationRes) from the EVSE B, and establish a
connection with the EVSE B (S513, S514).
[0119] Meanwhile, as the vehicle moves from the PAD #6 to the PAD
#1, the LF antenna 210 of EV may receive again the LF beacon A
broadcast by the LF antenna 110-1 on the PAD #1 and the LF beacon B
broadcast by the LF antenna 110-2 on the PAD #6 (S520). The LF
antenna 210 of the EV having received the two LF beacons may
calculate an LF attenuation value for each LF beacon (S521). Since
the vehicle at this time is located close to the PAD #1, the LF
attenuation value of the LF beacon B, which is calculated at the LF
antenna 210 of the EV, may be greater than the attenuation value of
the LF beacon A. Accordingly, the LF antenna of the EV may forward
information on the LF beacon A to the EV (S522).
[0120] The EV 200 may receive the information on the LF beacon A
from the LF antenna 210, transmit an association request (i.e.,
AssociationReq) to the EVSE A based on the information included in
a beacon (i.e., WLAN beacon A) transmitted by the EVSE A, receive a
response (i.e., AssociationRes) from the EVSE A, and establish a
connection with the EVSE A (S523, S524).
[0121] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a WPT method according to
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0122] FIG. 6 shows an example of a WPT method performed by an EV,
and through this, a sequence of a WPT method including an automatic
association procedure between the EV and a charger for EV wireless
charging can be confirmed. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6,
it is assumed that the EV uses an LF antenna.
[0123] When the EV enters a charging station for charging, the EV
may scan an LF beacon transmitted by each charger (S610). In this
case, the EV may identify an LF beacon of each charger sensor and
store information on an EVSE related to the LF beacon. The EV may
calculate a signal attenuation of the received LF beacon, and
select an EVSE that controls a transmission pad having the minimum
signal attenuation as an EVSE with which the EV establishes a
communication connection (S620).
[0124] Thereafter, the EV may determine whether a scanning scheme
related to EVSE scanning is active scanning or passive scanning
(S630), and perform scanning according to the corresponding scheme.
That is, when the EV performs active scanning, the EV may transmit
and receive probe request/response with the corresponding EVSE
(S631). On the other hand, when the EV performs passive scanning,
the EV may receive a beacon (i.e., WLAN beacon) transmitted from
the corresponding EVSE and store vendor specific element (VSE)
information of the received beacon (S632).
[0125] The EV may confirm whether the EVSE information acquired
through the LF beacon matches the EVSE information in the VSE
acquired through the probe response or the beacon (i.e., WLAN
beacon) from the EVSE (S640). If the two pieces of information do
not match, the LF beacon scanning step S610 may be performed again.
In this case, the mismatched EVSE may be excluded from a list for
LF beacon rescanning to be performed later.
[0126] On the other, when the EVSE information acquired through the
LF beacon and the EVSE information in the VSE acquired through the
probe response or the beacon (i.e., WLAN beacon) from the EVSE, the
EV may perform WLAN association (S650), and may continuously
compare an LF beacon value of the currently-associated charger and
an LF beacon value of a currently un-associated charger (S660). In
this case, the comparison of a plurality of LF beacon values may be
repeatedly performed until a position alignment sequence between
the transmission and reception pads is completed.
[0127] That is, it may be determined whether an LF signal
attenuation value from the currently associated charger is less
than an LF signal attenuation value from another charger and
whether the position alignment is completed (S670), and when both
conditions are satisfied, the WPT to the EV may be performed
(S680). The power transfer from the charger to the EV may be
performed until charging is completed (S690). However, when the LF
signal attenuation value from the currently associated charger is
greater than or equal to the LF signal attenuation value from
another charger, or when the position alignment is not completed,
the step S620 and the subsequent procedure may be repeatedly
performed.
[0128] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication establishment
apparatus for WPT according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0129] A communication establishment apparatus 700 for WPT shown in
an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7 may be included in the EV
200. The communication establishment apparatus 700 may include at
least one processor 710, a memory 720 storing at least one
instruction executable by the processor 710, and a transceiver 730
connected to a network to perform communication. In addition, the
communication establishment apparatus 700 may further include an
input interface device 740, an output interface device 750, a
storage device 760, and the like. The components included in the
communication establishment apparatus 700 may be connected by a bus
770 to communicate with each other.
[0130] The processor 710 may execute the at least one instruction
stored in at least one of the memory 720 and the storage device
760. The processor 710 may refer to a central processing unit
(CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor
on which the methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure are performed. Each of the memory 720 and the
storage device 760 may be configured as at least one of a volatile
storage medium and a nonvolatile storage medium. For example, the
memory 720 may be configured with at least one of a read only
memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).
[0131] Here, the at least one instruction may cause the processor
to: scan beacons broadcast in a low-level communication scheme from
a plurality of chargers; select a beacon signal having a minimum
signal attenuation by calculating signal attenuations for a
plurality of scanned beacon signals; and establish a communication
connection with an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)
associated with a charger transmitting the beacon signal having the
minimum signal attenuation.
[0132] The low-level communication scheme may include a
communication scheme using one or more among a low power excitation
(LPE), a magnetic vectoring (MV), and a low frequency (LF) antenna,
but is not limited thereto.
[0133] The beacon broadcast in the low-level communication scheme
may include at least one of an application type indicating an
application to which the beacon is applied, a sensor type
indicating a type of a sensor implementing the low-level
communication scheme, a service set identifier (SSID), and a pad
identifier. The application type may indicate one of a
communication matching between EV and EVSE, and an alignment
between EV and EVSE. The sensor type may include at least one of an
LF antenna, an MV, an LPE, and an ultra-wide band (UWB).
[0134] The selecting of the beacon signal may be repeatedly
performed until a signal attenuation for a beacon signal
transmitted by a currently-associated charger is equal to or less
than a signal attenuation for a beacon signal transmitted by
another charger, and a position alignment is completed.
[0135] In the establishing of the communication connection, the at
least one instruction may further cause the processor to: transmit
a probe request to the EVSE associated with the charger
transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum signal
attenuation, and receive a probe response in response to the probe
request; and transmit an association request to the EVSE associated
with the charger transmitting the beacon signal having the minimum
signal attenuation, and receive an association response in response
to the association request.
[0136] In the establishing of the communication connection, the at
least one instruction may further cause the processor to: receive a
wireless local area network (WLAN) beacon broadcast by the EVSE
associated with the charger transmitting the beacon signal having
the minimum signal attenuation; and transmit an association request
to the EVSE based on information included in the WLAN beacon
broadcast by the EVSE, and receive an association response in
response to the association request.
[0137] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, at a charging station in which a plurality of chargers
are disposed, a vehicle can be smoothly associated with a charger
that is to actually perform power transfer to the vehicle. In
addition, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, automatic association between an EV and a charger is
made possible without a separate user intervention (e.g.,
communication establishment through an audio/video/navigation (AVN)
system or user application (e.g., smartphone App)). In addition,
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
since the existing position alignment sensor of the wireless
charging transmission/reception pad (PAD) is used, it is not
necessary to separately configure additional hardware. In addition,
the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be
implemented in a vehicle and a charger capable of wireless
communication. In addition, the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure may be implemented in a vehicle and a charger providing
low-level communication modules. In addition, the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in an
autonomous vehicle capable of wireless charging.
[0138] The method according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure may also be embodied as computer readable
programs or codes on a computer readable recording medium. The
computer readable recording medium is any data storage device that
may store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system.
The computer readable recording medium may also be distributed over
network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code
is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
[0139] In addition, examples of the computer-readable recording
medium may include magnetic media such as hard discs, floppy discs,
and magnetic tapes, optical media such as compact disc-read-only
memories (CD-ROMs), digital video disc (DVDs), and so on,
magneto-optical media such as floptical discs, and hardware devices
specially configured (or designed) for storing and executing
program commands, such as ROMs, random access memories (RAMs),
flash memories, and so on. Examples of a program command may not
only include machine language codes, which are created by a
compiler, but may also include high-level language codes, which may
be executed by a computer using an interpreter, and so on.
[0140] While some aspects of the present disclosure have been
described in the context of an apparatus, the present disclosure
may also represent a description according to a corresponding
method, wherein the block or apparatus corresponds to a method step
or a feature of the method step. Similarly, aspects described in
the context of a method may also be represented by features of the
corresponding block or item or corresponding device. Some or all of
the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device
such as, for example, a microprocessor, a specifically programmed
computer, or an electronic circuit. In various exemplary
embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be
performed by such an apparatus.
[0141] In exemplary embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g.,
a field programmable gate array (FPGA)) may be used to perform some
or all of the functions of the methods described herein. In
addition, the FPGA may be configured to operate in conjunction with
a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described herein.
Generally, the methods are performed by some hardware device. The
foregoing description has been directed to exemplary embodiments of
the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that other
variations, substitutions and modifications may be made to the
described exemplary embodiments, with the attainment of some or all
of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken
only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the
exemplary embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the
appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as
come within the true spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments
herein.
* * * * *